Sweeney, Charles Francis 'Charlie'

Charles Francis “Charlie” Sweeney, 96, of Springfield, Ore., formerly of Holy Cross, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, at Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend, Springfield, Ore. A Memorial Mass will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Donald Bruggeman. Inurnment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, with Military Honors by the National Guard. A vigil service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, where friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m.

Survivors include a son, Joseph “Joe” Sweeney of Rochester, Minn.; a daughter, Norine Sweeney of Marcola, Ore.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor on Sept. 14, 2004; and a daughter, Sheila, and son, Bernard, both in 1955.

He was born March 23, 1916, in Holy Cross, Iowa, to Francis and Genevieve (McCloskey) Sweeney. He married Eleanor Valliere on April 7, 1947, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended high school in Dubuque, Iowa. Charlie served in the Army's 34 Infantry division known as the Red Bulls during World War II. He carried out missions in Northern Africa and Italy. In Cedar Rapids, he worked for LinkBelt Speeder (FMC) heavy construction equipment in service and sales.

Memorials may be made to Southern Willamette Valley Honor Flight.

Arrangements by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids,  (319) 393-8000.

Published Oct. 14, 2012 in The Gazette